James Maddison was hauled off at half-time in Tottenham Hotspur’s 4-1 win over West Ham United following a frustrating first 45 minutes for the team and the midfielder.
Spurs struggled to break down a compact West Ham side in the first-half and it was clear that something needed to change at the break.
Ange Postecoglou decided that change was to bring off Maddison and put Pape Matar Sarr in his place with that move proving to pay off.
The Senegalese international helped Tottenham gain control in the midfield and in the second period, the game completely swung in the hosts’ favour.
It has now been revealed that the former Leicester star was furious at being hauled at the break and his reaction really showed it.
James Maddison’s furious substitution reaction
Former Irish international Tony Cascarino has revealed that Maddison was not happy at all about being taken off.
The Times’ football pundit was told by TNT Sports members that he stormed through the mixed zone and refused to be interviewed after the game.
Cascarino told The Game Football Podcast: “Postecoglou made a big call at half-time, Maddison off, who wasn’t very good on set pieces, you could see he got frustrated Postecoglou corner where it wasn’t a good delivery.
“It felt like Maddison was sort of in the way in midfield and I think the manager spotted it quite quickly at half-time. I was told afterwards that Maddison wasn’t happy because it was the TNT people there and they’d said he wasn’t happy Maddison. He walked past and he clearly didn’t want an interview.”
Why James Maddison is now fighting for his Tottenham career
Cascarino also claimed that Maddison is now fighting for his career at Tottenham as he tries to keep hold of his place in the lineup.
The former Premier League striker is unsure whether the 27-year-old is in Spurs’ best starting 11 and Postecoglou is probably thinking the same thing.
“He was bought for a lot of money, he’s lost his England place, he’s 27, he’s gone to Tottenham to have a great four or five years at the club and it doesn’t feel like that,” Cascarino added.
“It feels like the pennies dropped with the manager, ‘Maybe we’re not as good with Maddison in our team’. He’s fighting for his career at Tottenham after a year, as in a first-team starter, being in the best lineup.
“I’m watching Postecoglou at the same time he did things wrong and I’m not sure he’s convinced by Maddison’s role in the team. He’s a great footballer and technically superb but I feel like he has to be the main man when he’s not now.”
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